Trailing Ice Plant, a birthday flower of July 1st

The Trailing Ice Plant has as a dramatic appearance as it does name. You can spot these beauties from a mile away with their vivid colors and glossy flowers. In Japanese they are known as Matsubagikuマツバギク. They are one of the birthday flowers of July 1st annually. They are also the birthday flower of July 3rd and November 5th.

Typically, they bloom sometime between April and August in Japan. Its narrow, glossy petals open only when the sun is bright and when they do they are shining bright themselves. Hence its genus name - Lampranthus, which comes from Greek. "Lampros" means (bright, shining) and "anthos" means flower. The flowers create vivid carpets of purple, pink, orange, and yellow, when in bloom.

The Japanese name "Matsubagiku" comes from its succulent leaves that resemble pine needles, "Matsuba", and its flower shape that resembles chrysanthemum, "kiku". The plant’s hanakotoba (flower meanings) include “laziness,” “idler,” and “merit.” The first two come from its habit of opening only in sunshine and closing during rain, cloud, or night. The last meaning, "merit", reflects the flower’s bright, medal‑like shine, like a badge of honor.

When do you most commonly see Trailing Ice Plant in Japan? The photo in this post is from early June.